Sam Maclaine
@sammaclaine.bsky.social
I post Pro the environment and Renewable energy.
I comment on whatever I like, hopefully being polite and occasionally amusing.
I block anyone who doesn't allow responses 🙂
I comment on whatever I like, hopefully being polite and occasionally amusing.
I block anyone who doesn't allow responses 🙂
You mean the great Economist Ash Sarkar and writer for The Guardian (degree in English Literature) 😂
November 23, 2025 at 8:07 AM
You mean the great Economist Ash Sarkar and writer for The Guardian (degree in English Literature) 😂
When you look back in a few years time you will realise you should have retired at the last Election. You are a dead man walking politically now. Go and enjoy your Cucumbers 🙂
November 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
When you look back in a few years time you will realise you should have retired at the last Election. You are a dead man walking politically now. Go and enjoy your Cucumbers 🙂
Actually his 'promise' was to get Labour into power if you read it.
The rest is where he stood personally on issues some of which he can take into Government and some not. He is not a Dictator. We don't have that sort of system 🤔
The rest is where he stood personally on issues some of which he can take into Government and some not. He is not a Dictator. We don't have that sort of system 🤔
November 23, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Actually his 'promise' was to get Labour into power if you read it.
The rest is where he stood personally on issues some of which he can take into Government and some not. He is not a Dictator. We don't have that sort of system 🤔
The rest is where he stood personally on issues some of which he can take into Government and some not. He is not a Dictator. We don't have that sort of system 🤔
I think your post has the assumption that Labour isn't a party that has increased taxes. Just by sticking with the freeze on personal allowances the Government is dramatically increasing the tax burden on working people.
Also, a large number of new 'wealth' taxes introduced and more to come 🤔
Also, a large number of new 'wealth' taxes introduced and more to come 🤔
November 23, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I think your post has the assumption that Labour isn't a party that has increased taxes. Just by sticking with the freeze on personal allowances the Government is dramatically increasing the tax burden on working people.
Also, a large number of new 'wealth' taxes introduced and more to come 🤔
Also, a large number of new 'wealth' taxes introduced and more to come 🤔
That's because Starmer neither has an economic or financial background. All PM's have experience to bring to the role but no one has ever had expertise in all areas, Financial, Legal, International Relations, Defence and Security, etc. That's why we have Cabinet Government 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 10:08 PM
That's because Starmer neither has an economic or financial background. All PM's have experience to bring to the role but no one has ever had expertise in all areas, Financial, Legal, International Relations, Defence and Security, etc. That's why we have Cabinet Government 🤔
Spain is being regularly held up as a beacon of good Economic management. But in reality it's recent growth has come from three things. Significant immigration which has driven employment but left unemployment high. A post COVID tourist boom which will fade, and huge amounts of post COVID EU money 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Spain is being regularly held up as a beacon of good Economic management. But in reality it's recent growth has come from three things. Significant immigration which has driven employment but left unemployment high. A post COVID tourist boom which will fade, and huge amounts of post COVID EU money 🤔
People tend to forget. The EU is quite happy with the TCA. In 2026 there will be some discussion about compliance on both sides but other than that it will be continued in it's present form. No major changes requested on either side 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 9:49 PM
People tend to forget. The EU is quite happy with the TCA. In 2026 there will be some discussion about compliance on both sides but other than that it will be continued in it's present form. No major changes requested on either side 🤔
these arrangements EU Defence companies will have to redesign systems and find alternative suppliers. Not an easy thing to achieve when the best suppliers are UK, Canada (or the US) 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 9:42 PM
these arrangements EU Defence companies will have to redesign systems and find alternative suppliers. Not an easy thing to achieve when the best suppliers are UK, Canada (or the US) 🤔
Just for clarity. UK Defence companies will not be allowed to access SAFE funding. The payment requested by the EU is to allow EU Defence Companies to use a larger percentage of UK supplied components than the norm for third Countries. A similar arrangement is being negotiated for Canada. Without ..
November 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Just for clarity. UK Defence companies will not be allowed to access SAFE funding. The payment requested by the EU is to allow EU Defence Companies to use a larger percentage of UK supplied components than the norm for third Countries. A similar arrangement is being negotiated for Canada. Without ..
It doesn't make sense comparing different quarters in different years. Also what the Price Cap is in the summer is of little interest to people as they are not using much energy. That's why you should compare the heavy usage qtr (Jan-March in each year):
2024 £1928
2026 will be £1758 or £170 lower 🤔
2024 £1928
2026 will be £1758 or £170 lower 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 7:26 PM
It doesn't make sense comparing different quarters in different years. Also what the Price Cap is in the summer is of little interest to people as they are not using much energy. That's why you should compare the heavy usage qtr (Jan-March in each year):
2024 £1928
2026 will be £1758 or £170 lower 🤔
2024 £1928
2026 will be £1758 or £170 lower 🤔
Except for most people the rain was coming in well before Brexit.
The fact that the UK/EU relationship has dropped off the radar as a issue (according to YouGov) means, barring those with Second homes in France and Spain, they haven't noticed if we were in or out regarding how wet they are getting🤔
The fact that the UK/EU relationship has dropped off the radar as a issue (according to YouGov) means, barring those with Second homes in France and Spain, they haven't noticed if we were in or out regarding how wet they are getting🤔
November 22, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Except for most people the rain was coming in well before Brexit.
The fact that the UK/EU relationship has dropped off the radar as a issue (according to YouGov) means, barring those with Second homes in France and Spain, they haven't noticed if we were in or out regarding how wet they are getting🤔
The fact that the UK/EU relationship has dropped off the radar as a issue (according to YouGov) means, barring those with Second homes in France and Spain, they haven't noticed if we were in or out regarding how wet they are getting🤔
What Americans call socialism most of the rest of the World calls Social Democracy 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 5:43 PM
What Americans call socialism most of the rest of the World calls Social Democracy 🤔
Yes I know. It's completely stupid. But Zack is a bit of a pure lefty. No sitting down with anyone else. Even Labour in any sort of coalition, which is interesting because it is quite progressive 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Yes I know. It's completely stupid. But Zack is a bit of a pure lefty. No sitting down with anyone else. Even Labour in any sort of coalition, which is interesting because it is quite progressive 🤔
They will force a vote they will lose by a huge margin. Good plan 😂
PS - the EU have said they are not interested in any more 'Turkey like' CU deals 🙂
PS - the EU have said they are not interested in any more 'Turkey like' CU deals 🙂
Turkey.like
November 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
They will force a vote they will lose by a huge margin. Good plan 😂
PS - the EU have said they are not interested in any more 'Turkey like' CU deals 🙂
PS - the EU have said they are not interested in any more 'Turkey like' CU deals 🙂
I quite liked this part 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I quite liked this part 🤔
Or you could just wait until the Budget like Journalists on the BBC used to do and then comment 😂
November 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Or you could just wait until the Budget like Journalists on the BBC used to do and then comment 😂
You argue that rejoining the EU will somehow be a magic bullet for the UK's poor economic performance. Yet any GDP growth post 2008 was simply driven by immigration. GDP/capita was essentially flat. So why would the EU now suddenly solve all our problems (for the princely sum of £20bn per year) ? 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
You argue that rejoining the EU will somehow be a magic bullet for the UK's poor economic performance. Yet any GDP growth post 2008 was simply driven by immigration. GDP/capita was essentially flat. So why would the EU now suddenly solve all our problems (for the princely sum of £20bn per year) ? 🤔
This is what Chris Mason said about the apparent briefings from No 10 which were subsequently confirmed by the Press Secretary as not coming from No 10. So are we to guess Chris gave you a call or did you have a different source ? 😂
November 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This is what Chris Mason said about the apparent briefings from No 10 which were subsequently confirmed by the Press Secretary as not coming from No 10. So are we to guess Chris gave you a call or did you have a different source ? 😂
Actually UK/EU relations are better than they have been for probably 20 years. Various negotiations on new agreements are progressing, carbon trading, taking part in Erasmus + from 2027, SAFE (defence procurement) and more slowly the SPS deal. EU very happy with current relationship 👍🤔
November 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Actually UK/EU relations are better than they have been for probably 20 years. Various negotiations on new agreements are progressing, carbon trading, taking part in Erasmus + from 2027, SAFE (defence procurement) and more slowly the SPS deal. EU very happy with current relationship 👍🤔
But UK Energy bills are actually falling as the amount of wind and solar ramps up 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
But UK Energy bills are actually falling as the amount of wind and solar ramps up 🤔
Not weasily at all. He let it be assumed recent briefings come from No 10, then refused to confirm it when pushed. In reality he probably got them sitting in a cafe with some mates of Kier Starmer 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Not weasily at all. He let it be assumed recent briefings come from No 10, then refused to confirm it when pushed. In reality he probably got them sitting in a cafe with some mates of Kier Starmer 🤔
Actually the Energy Price Cap has dropped quite a bit since Labour came into power in the UK. It's already £180 less than January 2024 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Actually the Energy Price Cap has dropped quite a bit since Labour came into power in the UK. It's already £180 less than January 2024 🤔
You said in an interview that you wouldn't join the EU if a lot of the existing Member countries had right-wing Governments. Isn't that looking pretty likely ? 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 1:45 PM
You said in an interview that you wouldn't join the EU if a lot of the existing Member countries had right-wing Governments. Isn't that looking pretty likely ? 🤔
Actually if you listen to what he says he would only be interested in joining an EU that was reformed ? and wasn't dominated by Right Wing parties. Good luck with that one in the future 😂
November 22, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Actually if you listen to what he says he would only be interested in joining an EU that was reformed ? and wasn't dominated by Right Wing parties. Good luck with that one in the future 😂